Chopin - 27 Etudes [Lortie]
This is my second favorite disc of all time, i must have played it many dozens of times, i love the way Lortie seems to get these pieces just 'right', some of these Etudes i feel are the definitive version in my mind, and it's amazing how each time i listen to them, i find a different one to be wowed by, this disc appeared in my Blog three years ago [5th June 2012].
Louis Lortie is Canadian, he's now 55, he recorded these Etudes in 1986, i was amazed when they first came out, and i must admit i played this disc to death in the first few years i had it, now i've acquired a lot more versions of this work, so i can spend less time on this disc, but it remains my favourite version of the Chopin Etudes.
So on this listen i loved Etudes 9 & 16 [Op10/9 & Op25/4], here's a short synopsis of each,
Etude 9 [2:07] - In the minor key of F Minor, a sad and troubling Etude, full of nervous energy, there seems to be this underlying unsureness / hesitation in the piece, its rhythm is all truncated, i wish Lortie would play the left hand louder, more equal with the right hand, it slightly gains in more straightforwardness, but there's this constant right hand treble loud stabs, i like the way Lortie intensifies the second half repeat, i can hear a sort of 'resolution' trying to surface near the end, but it's shut down by Chopin, a nice device.
Etude 16 [1:33] - A very staccato Etude, also in the minor of A Minor, and yet doesn't sound sad like number nine, the left and right hand seem to play against each others groove, making a tremendously satisfying lopsided rhythm, Lortie has this way of emphasising certain right hand notes, which spell out a melody within a melody, the left hand is so incessant, it annoys and delights at the same time.
Here's Lortie playing Etude 9 on YouTube, and Etude 16 on YouTube also.
Louis Lortie is Canadian, he's now 55, he recorded these Etudes in 1986, i was amazed when they first came out, and i must admit i played this disc to death in the first few years i had it, now i've acquired a lot more versions of this work, so i can spend less time on this disc, but it remains my favourite version of the Chopin Etudes.
So on this listen i loved Etudes 9 & 16 [Op10/9 & Op25/4], here's a short synopsis of each,
Etude 9 [2:07] - In the minor key of F Minor, a sad and troubling Etude, full of nervous energy, there seems to be this underlying unsureness / hesitation in the piece, its rhythm is all truncated, i wish Lortie would play the left hand louder, more equal with the right hand, it slightly gains in more straightforwardness, but there's this constant right hand treble loud stabs, i like the way Lortie intensifies the second half repeat, i can hear a sort of 'resolution' trying to surface near the end, but it's shut down by Chopin, a nice device.
Etude 16 [1:33] - A very staccato Etude, also in the minor of A Minor, and yet doesn't sound sad like number nine, the left and right hand seem to play against each others groove, making a tremendously satisfying lopsided rhythm, Lortie has this way of emphasising certain right hand notes, which spell out a melody within a melody, the left hand is so incessant, it annoys and delights at the same time.
Here's Lortie playing Etude 9 on YouTube, and Etude 16 on YouTube also.
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